The Singapore manufacturing sector has a new avenue to hire mid-career professionals looking to switch into the accounting profession, as the industry seeks to relieve the crunch for such talent.
e2i and CPA Australia are collaborating with the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) to extend the Place-and-Train Accounts & Audit Professionals Programme to support the hiring and training of accounts or audit professionals in the manufacturing industry.
Mr Gilbert Tan, CEO of e2i, said, “The Place-and-Train Accounts & Audit Professionals Programme will benefit companies by attracting and retaining mid-career professionals who are keen to switch into the accounts/audit sector. With SMF as a partner, we believe our outreach to manufacturing sector professionals would be amplified, and many would be able to tap on this program to take on a new direction for their careers.”
e2i will provide participating employers with training allowances and subsidise up to 70% of course fees for successful candidates who are recruited under this programme.
Mr Melvin Yong, Singapore General Manager of CPA Australia, said, “The Place-and-Train Accounts & Audit Professionals Programme has seen strong interest from jobseekers since it was launched in January 2013. Through this new partnership with SMF, we are delighted that the programme can now benefit the manufacturing sector while increasing the opportunities for individuals looking to make a career switch into accounting,”
Mr Lam Joon Khoi, Secretary- General, Singapore Manufacturing Federation said, “This is a good initiative from both e2i and CPA Australia to provide PMEs looking to switch careers with additional support and qualification in accounting. It will certainly enhance the career options for PMEs in this challenging world and contribute an additional resource point to the manufacturing industry.”
During their training, candidates will enroll in the CPA Program Foundation Level offered by CPA Australia, which will equip them with the necessary basic accounting knowledge.
It also provides them with a direct pathway to advance to the CPA Program Professional Level, which will confer the globally-recognised CPA Australia professional accounting designation. Candidates will also undergo 6 months of on-the-job training (OJT) with participating employers.
To date, the Place-and-Train Accounts & Audit Professionals scheme has attracted 6 employers who intend to recruit Mid-career Professionals in Singapore without accounting work experience or accounting-related qualifications.
Mr Chris Fuggle, Director of Regional Outsourcing of Mazars LLP, a new participating employer, said, “I believe the Programme will prove to be very beneficial. Our clients expect our accountants to be more than just bookkeepers. They seek proactive advice which is relevant to their business. Under the Programme, we will have the opportunity to introduce more diversity to our team. This will create different perspectives, challenge the norms and, I strongly believe, will enable us to provide a more commercially valuable service to our clients. That we can also offer a mid-career professional the opportunity to take on a new and exciting challenge and that the scheme is partially funded are great by-products.”
Under the programme, participating employers commit to offer jobs to successful candidates on a permanent and full-time basis.
The candidates will also have starting salaries of at least S$2,000, and receive a basic salary increase of at least 15% upon completion of the programme.
Employers who hire candidates under this programme can apply for training support of up to S$8,450 per eligible employee.
Employers who are interested to participate in the programme may contact Ms Yashira Johan at [email protected] or DID 6471 9524.